Severe craniocerebral trauma with sequelae caused by Flash-Ball® shot, a less-lethal weapon: Report of one case and review of the literature

Abstract

The use of Flash-Ball® as a non-lethal weapon by several special units within the police and police forces started in France in 1995. Little literature is available concerning injuries caused by Flash-Ball® shooting. However, we report the case of a healthy 34-year-old male victim of a Flash-Ball® shooting during a riot following a sports event. This young man presented serious craniocerebral injuries with a left temporal fracture, moderate cerebral oedema, fronto-temporal haemorrhagic contusion along with an extra-dural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage requiring neurological and rehabilitation care for two months leaving important sequelae. Although the risk is obviously lower than with firearms, Flash-Ball® is nonetheless potentially lethal and may cause serious physical injuries, particularly after a shot to the head.

Correlations of the Indicators of the Distance of the Shot and the Type of Clothing With the Features of Damage and Gunshot Residue When Using the Fort 12r and Ae 790g1 Pistols

“…Unlike lethal firearms, non-lethal firearms are equipped with rubber-based ammunition, but they are dangerous under certain conditions of improper use. In the 1970s in Northern Ireland, the use of this type of weapon caused 14 deaths [3]. At the same time, successful compliance with well-known rules for handling it shows that it is possible to avoid not only fatalities but also serious injuries.…”